WEST ORANGE, N. J. 
deners say they can “smell the pipes." Ventilation: 
Coming as nearly all orchids do from hilly and 
mountainous countries, fresh air is vital to them and 
should be freely admitted on all possible occasions; 
particularly in the cool and intermediate sections. In 
the warm and East Indian house, so called from the 
class of orchids grown in it, with its high tempera¬ 
tures, air cannot be so fully given, as harm would 
result from a lowered temperature. Care must be 
taken to admit air without causing draughts which 
are, if anything, more detrimental than fresh air is 
beneficial. In any case top air requires greatest 
care in its use until the middle of, and late Summer. 
Then more air must be given than in Spring to en¬ 
sure ripening of the plants and hardening them to 
withstand the Winter. Air must be admitted when¬ 
ever possible, provided that draughts are avoided and 
temperature and moisture are not unduly affected 
both in Winter and Summer. 
Shading is most convenient in the form of roller 
blinds made of canvas netting or wooden laths, the 
latter are perhaps the better as they admit sunlight 
but not sufficient to damage the plants. Whatever 
material is used it is better left in position all the 
year and should be arranged as to be easily run up 
or down. 
It should always be remembered that orchids with 
very few exceptions require and enjoy light and 
sunlight, but not the sun’s direct rays and hence 
the great superiority of roller blinds ov'er perma¬ 
nent shading. 
Damping. In their habitats many orchids grow 
in positions where at all, or certain, seasons, or a 
certain time of the day, vapour rises from the damp 
ground or foliage plants beneath them. Much of 
their nourishment is probably extracted from this 
vapour, absorbed by their leaves and the aerial 
roots which so many orchids produce. To imitate 
these conditions, water is sprayed on the floors, 
walls and stagings of the houses. The process is 
known as damping and is very helpful, indeed, 
necessary to their well being. 
Potting. The best materials are the cheapest in 
the end and they should always be clean, that is 
free from extraneous matter. Good fibrous Osmunda 
Fibre, the lasting qualities of which make it more 
economical than peat and its coarser fibres render 
it more suitable for all the stronger rooting kinds. 
The better time to pot any orchids is just after they 
